Box-covering machine.



w.`a. commas. BOX COVERING MACHINE A-PPLICATION FILED JUNE 3| 1913.

Patented July 20, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

W. R. COMINGS. BOX COVERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE a. 1913.

Patend July 2o, 1915 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH co.,w^sHxNaToN. D. c.

W. R. COMNGS. BOX COVERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. 1913. 1,147,144, Patented July 20, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

MM@ GWW INI/EN TUR.'

By M Y A 77'RNEV5.'

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 60 WASHINGTON, D. c.

W. R. COMINGS. BOX COVERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED IuNE 3. 191s.

Patented July 20, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

w.l R.. commas. BOX COVERING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. 1913.

Patented July 20, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- 5 ATT RNEVS.'

EULUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CU., WASHINGTON. D. C.

WILLIAM RIGHTEE coi/Lines, or wir/:Binnen PARK, Enennnn BOX-COVERING MACHINE.

Specication of Letters Patent. 4 Patented July 20, 1915.

Application filed .Tune 3, 1913.y Serial No. 771,404.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM RIGHTER` CoMINGs, mechanical engineer, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wharnclie, Wimbledon Park, Surrey, England,',have in` vented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Covering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improved means for exerting upon vregular or irregular-surfaces an adjustable wiping pressure, such as is required in. covering or labeling boxes, bottles, packets and like articles with paper or other pliable sheetmaterial.

One feature of the present invention consists in the provision of4 a wiping device comprising a member which is adapted `to yield easilyin one direction, but whichk is relatively stid in the opposite direction.

Another feature `of this invention consists in the provision of a machinefor covering or labeling boxes and the like inwhich the said wiping devices are employed.

Other features will be evident from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a plan of amachine for covering or labeling boxes and thelike; Fig. 2 `is a side elevation of same, the stand being broken away; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 1--1 of Fig. 1 looking to the right; Figi. 4 is a part plan, the parts being shown in va different position; Fig. 5 is a sectionon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking to the left, some of the parts'being removed; Fig.y 6 is a view showing one of the end wiping devices and associate parts; Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the parts in another position; Fig..

8 is a side elevation of a folding die; Fig. 9" is a plan of saine; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a wiping device; Fig. 11 is a plan of same; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modiiied form of wiping device; and Fig. 13 isa plan of same.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, the wiping devicehere shownV consists of la; iiexible'wiping strip or wiper 1 `ofrindi'a rubber and a strip of spring steel Qarranged alongside of the india rubber strip, the two stripsbeing clamped togetheruon a holder 3 by means ofna claspingplate 4,bolts 5 and fly nuts 5". The strip12 extends to within a short distance of the front edge ofthe iiexible strip 1, while the clamping plate 4 grips the said flexible strip as far back from said front edge as practicable. It will be seen, i

therefore, that the wiping strip 1 will readily 'yield to pressure in an upward direction while presenting a relatively stiffedge to pressure inthe opposite or downward direction.- Thus when used in applying, for example, a cover to a box, relative movement between the wiper and the box and cover in one direction will cause the cover to be pressed on lthe box with a relatively strong pressure, while on .the return movement the wiper lwill yield and slide gently over the cover without displacing same, as will `be readily` understood. The holder 3 is provided with a slot 6 in orderthat it may be adjustably secured to a support, as will be hereinafter described.

The degree of stidness of the wiping device in the wiping direction may be regulated by adjusting the spring strip nearer to or farther away from the edge of the india rubber strip, or the same effect can be produced `by providing thicker spring strips, or by employing'more than one spring strip, or by choosing material of different elasticity.

In Figs. 12 and 18 a modified form is shown in `whichthe wiping devices comprise i a brush wiper 7 hinged at8 to a block 9 which in turn is secured to the holder 3 by screws 5. Inthis arrangement the brush 7 .will` present a relatively stiff edge to pressure in a downward direction, but will yield` readily in the 'opposite direction'by turning on its hinge. Obviously in place of the brush wiper 7 a wiper of any other suitable material may be employed, such for example as a strip of'india rubber.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 9 which illustrate an example of a machine in which the wiping devices before described may be employed, this machine is designed for applying a cover to a box part, such as the lid orbody, and comprises folding and wiping devices which will now be described.

A base plate or table 10 is supported on two sidestandards 11., 12, and carries at its rear `end aforked bracket 13 between the forks of which is pivotally mounted a swinging arm 1li. 'The free end 15 of the swinging arm is provided with a fiat plate 16 .to which a former block .17 is screwed, and it is jointed at 18'so that theV angular position of the former block may be adjusted. At the other end of the arm 1i a rod' 19 is secured, on which is slidably mounted a balance weight 2O which serves to normally hold the arm in the position shown in Fig. 2. A spiral spring 21 disposed on the boss of the arm 14 and having one end fixed to the bracket 13 and the other secured to the arm 14 also tends to raise the arm 14. On the inner face of the arm 14 is a projecting lug 22 having a number of holes drilled therein, andengaging one of these holes is a chain 23 to which is attached one end of a rod 24, the other end of which is connected to a treadle 26 through a sti spiral spring 25. On depressing the treadle 26 the arm 14 and former block 17 are swung down into the position vshown in Fig. 5. A box part 27 having a blank cover 28 adhesively attached to the face thereof is pushed on to the former 17 and is held V l thereon by friction. The edges 29, 30, 31,

32 of the cover project beyond the box part asshown in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 5.

In swinging from the position shown in Fig.l 2, to that shown in Fig. 5, the side edges 29, 30, of the cover 28 are folded on to and pressed against the sides of the box part'by means of stationary, wiping devices which will next be described.

Approximately midway of the base 10 are two transverse V shaped guides 33, 34

on which are slidably mounted two brackets 35, 36, adapted to be locked in the desired position thereon by set screws 37, 38, having bent ends (Fig. 1). The upper ends of the brackets 35, 36 terminate in bosses 39, 40, which are drilled to form bearings for clamping blocks 41, 42. As these clamping blocks are identical in construction, the description of one will suffice for both. The block 41 or 42 is slotted to form a slide for a bracket 43, and a set screw 44 is provided for lockingl the bracket in position. Projecting from the block is a bearing shaft 45 which terminates at its free end in a screw 46 of reduced diameter, land which fits into the boss 39 so as to be capable of turning therein. A fly nut 24 and a washer 48 are adapted to lock the block 41 in the desired angular position, as will be readily understood. The brackets 43 are provided with slides 49 in which holders 50 are adapted to slide. Set screws 51 extend through longitudinal slots 52 in the brackets 43 and open ended slots 54 in the holders 50 are adapted to secure the holders, after adjustment, by means of fly nuts 55.vv The holders 50 carry side wiping devices 56 which are disposed in the path of the former block 17 so that when the latter swings down with a box part and cover, the edges 29, 30, of the latter are folded up against the sides of the box part and pressed thereon with sufficient pressure to enable the glued inner side to become securely stuck thereto, as shown in Fig. o.

On the V shaped guides 33, 34, are two sliding jaws 57 which are adapted to clamp and hold a folding die to be hereinafter described. These'sliding jaws 57 have nuts 59 which engage screw shafts 60 extending when it is required to open or close they jaws 57.

f When the arm 14'is` swung down as before described theformer block rests upon the folding die as shown in Fig. 5 and while in this position the corners of the cover are turned in by corner Awiping devices which will next be described. Y

At each side of the base '10 is a longitudinally disposed rock shaft 63 supported in an end bracket 64, brackets 65, 66`mounted on castings 67, 68, and an angle bracket 69. Arms 7 0 adjacent the bracket 64 are mounted on the rear ends of the rock shafts 63 which latter are provided with key ways 71 adapted to receive clamping keys 72 controlled by thumb screws 73. The keys 72 enter recesses 74 in the `brackets 64 which recesses serve to limit the rocking action of the rock shafts 63. The arms 70 are provided at their free ends with clamping blocks `75 to which chains 76 are fastened. These chains 76 pass over pulleys 77, 78, on the rear end of the base 10 and are connected to a third chain 79, which passes over a pulley 80, mounted in aA bracket 81 depending from' the underside of the base 10, and is connected to one end of a rod 82, the other end of which is attached to the treadle 26. The pulleys 77,78, are protected by a sheet metal cover 84.

The chain 79 and rod 82 are normally slack so that the first downward movement of the treadle 26 does not operate the rock shafts 63. When the treadle 26 isdepressed it first swings the arm '14 down and the chain 79 and rod 82 are drawn taut. On the treadle being further ydepressed the spring 25 is extended and the chain 79 and rod 82 drawn down and the shafts 63 rocked, the rocking movement'being limited by the recesses 72 in the brackets 64 and by other recesses to be hereinafter described.

The castings 67, 68, are mounted one at each end of the base 10 and are secured thereto by bolts and nuts extending through Each of the castings 67, 68, is provided "l with two upwardly and outwardly projecting arms 86 on which are slidingly mounted angle pieces 87 adjustable thereon by means of bolts 88 and fly nuts 89, the'bolts 88 engaging slots 90 in the outwardlyprojecting portions of the arms 86. Pivotallylmounted on the upper faces of the angie pieces 87 are arms 91, the upper faces of which are re*-` cessed to receive the holders 92 of corner wiping devices 93. The arms 91 havebosses 94 around which are wire springs 95 that press the arms 91 outwardly,l asshown in Fig. 1. Adjustable screws 96, mounted in lugs 97 on the angle pieces 87 form stops which limit the outward movement of the arms 91. Projecting from the side faces of the angle pieces 87 are pins 98 on which double arm levers 99 are pivotally mounted. The lower ends of the levers 99 are pivotally connected to slotted links 100, which in turn are pivotally connected to4 arms 101, rigid on the rock shafts 63. The pivotal connections between the arms 101 and the links 100 are adjustable in the slots of the latter. The arms 101,` adjacent the brackets 69, have clamping keys 102 which engage in key ways 103, provided in the shafts 63, and also engage in recesses 104 in the brackets 69 to limit therocking motion of the shaft 63. The arms 101 at the front end of the machine are secured to the shafts 63 by means of pins 105.

On the outer side faces of the arms 91 are hinged catches 106 which arefree to turn about their hinges outwardly` away from the arms 91, but which are not permitted to turn toward the said arms. These catches 106 normally lie in the path of the upper ends of the levers 99 and are adapted to be engaged by the said levers when the latter are turned about the pins 98.

When the treadle 83 is depressed the shafts 63 are rocked as before explained and the levers 99 are turned about the pins 98 through the medium of the arms 101 and links 100, with the result that the upper ends of the lever 99 engage thecatches 106 and carry them so that the arms91 and corner wiping devices 93 are swung inwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 4. As the levers 99 turn about fixed pins 98 thev will eventually move clear of the catches 106so that the arms 91 and wiping devices 93, after having been swung inwardly, are released and will swing back sharply. under the action of the wire springs 95, to their inoperative or initial position.

On the treadle 26 being released the rocking shafts 63 are returnedA to their initial ipositions by weights 107carried byrods 108 projecting from the bosses of the arms 70. The levers 99 in returning to their initial position knock against the catches 106which turn on their hinges to allow the leversto pass and fall again in front ofthe levers ready for the next operation. j

The corner wiping devices 93 when swung inwardly engage the corners of the cover and turn them in on to the box part, as shown in Fig. 4, and immediately after they have been swung back to their initial position the ends of the cover are turned up by end wiping devices which will now be described.

Mountedon the arms 86 are yokes 109 which are vertically adjustable and which pivotally support Z shaped members 110, the lower arms 111 of which are recessed to form slides for holders 112 of the end wiping devices 113. IThe vvertical and upper arms of `the Z shaped members 110 are `forked and the forked ends thereof are connected together by means of rods 114 to which chains 115 are attached. These chains 115 extend down to rods 116 which latter are connected at 117 to a treadle 83. 0n the treadle S3 being depressed the members 110 are turned about their pivots so that the end wiping devices 113 are swung upwardly and press the end edges 31, 32 of the cover aga-inst the ends of the box part (see Fig. 6).

1n order to complete the operation of covering the box part the edges of the cover have to be turned over the edges of the box part and stuck to the inner sides thereof. For effecting this there is employed a folding die which is adapted to be manipulated by hand and which is shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 9.

This die comprises a block 118, adapted to be clamped between the jaws 67, and a base 119 between which and the block 118 a center sheet 120 is disposed. Side flaps 121, 122 and end flaps 123, 124 are hinged to the center sheet and have hinged to their free edges strips 125, 126, 127 and 128 on the inner faces of which are secured hollow india rubber headings 129, 130, 131 and 132. Thebox part and cover are held on the base 119 by the arm 14 and former 17 after the corners of the cover have been turnedin and the sideand end flaps 121, 122 and 123 and 125 are turned up against the sides and ends of the box part and the strips 125, 126,

127 and 128 are turned over inside the box part, as shown in Fig. 8, so that the edges of the cover are turned in. By pressing the strips tightly against the inner side of the box part, the edges of the cover are securely stuck thereto.

The end flaps 123, 124 are disposed beneath the end wiping devices 113, and in order that they may be easily accessible,

mechanism is provided for raising them.

end flaps 123, 124. The Z members 130 Veo carry adjustable arms 138 whichafter the end wiping devices have wiped the end edges of the cover on to the ends of the box part, come into contact with the arms 134, so that further movement of the Z members 110 causes the anglepieces 133 to swing with the arms 135 upward as shown in Fig. 7. It will be seen, therefore, that when the treadle 83 is depressed the end wiping devices 113-are first swung upward to wipe and fixthe glued blank on to the box endand then the arms 135 and rollers 137 follow them for a short distance, thus raising the end flaps 123, 124: of the folding die so that they maybe easily handled.

An adjustable stop 139 (Figs. 1 and 2) is carried by the Z member 110 at the front end of the machine and this stop is adapted to abut against the front yoke 109 to limit the swing of the Z member 110.

Handles 140 are fixed on the front ends of the rocking shafts 63 in order that they may be manually operated whenfdesired.

The machine operates as follows: A cover or blank glued on one side is stuck on the bottom of the box part, and the latter is pushed on the former block 17. The oper ator then depresses the treadle 26 which swings the arm 14 down until the box part rests on the base 119 of the folding die. In swinging down, the side edges 29, 30 of the glued covering blank are turned up against the sides of the box by the side wiping device 50. Further depression of the treadle 26 causes the rocking shafts 63 to swing the corner wiping devices 93 inwardly to turn the corners of the cover in, and immediately this isl effected the corner wiping devices are returned to their initial position by the springs 95. The operator next depresses the treadle 83 which swings the end wiping devices 113 upward and presses vthe ends of the covering blank against the ends of the box. As soon as the end wiping devices have moved beyond the ends of the box the arms 135 are also swung upward so that the rollers 137 engage the end flaps 123, 124 of the folding die and raise them against the ends of the box. The operator then turns the strips 125,126,127 and 128 overinto the box and presses them tightly against the insides thereof thereby finally sticking the edges of the cover to the inside vfaces of the box. The side and end flaps are then thrown back into their initial or fiat positions and the trcadle 26 is released so that the arm 14C swings back into its upright position carrying the completely covered box part with it. The treadle 83 is then released so that theend wiping devices 113 and the arms 135 fall back into their inoperative or normal positions. The completed v box part is then removed from the former block 17 and the operation repeated.

Although theside, corner and end wiping devices arey of different sizes and are provided with different holders, they are of substantially the same construction andI act in the manner described with reference to Figs. 10 and 11, that is to say, in the wiping operation they exert arelatively sti or strong pressure 'on the cover, while on the return movement they yield readily so as to pass gently over the cover without disturbing it.

It is to be understood that the wiping devices are notV restricted in their application' to the machine herein described and illustrated, butv may be applied to other machines and used in various other connections.

Again, the machine herein described may be variously modified without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is t- 1. In a box covering machine, a wiping device, comprising a wiper, means for effecting a relative reciprocatingmovement between the wiper and the box to be covered, whereby the wiper folds` the` cover against the box during the movement in one direction, and means for permitting a greater displacement of the wiper during the movement in the other direction than during the movement in the first mentioned direction.

2. In a box covering machine, a wiping device, means for effecting a relative reciprocating movement between the wiping device and the box to be covered, whereby the wiper folds the cover against the box during the movement in one direction, and means permitting the wiper to be inclined a greater amount during the movement in the other direction than during the movement in the iirst mentioned direction.

3. In a box covering machine, a wiping device comprising a wiper of sheet elastic material, means for effecting a relative re-` ciprocating movement between the wiper and the box to be covered, whereby the wiper folds the eoveragainst-the box during the movement in one direction, and means whereby the wiper is relatively stiff during the movement in said direction and is adapted to yield easily during the movement in the other direction.

1. In a box covering machine, a wiping device comprising a flexible wiper adapted to fold the cover against the box and a flat strip of resilient material arranged along one side of the flexiblewiper and adapted to stiffen or support it in one direction, while allowing it to yield in the opposite direction.

5. In a box covering machine, a combination of means for supporting a box part with a glued labelor cover thereon, a pair of side wiping devices, two pairs of corner wiping devices, a pair of swinging arms, and wiping devices mounted on said armsV and means for causing relative movements between said box part and said wiping devices in proper sequence.

6. In a box covering machine, the combination of a swinging arm adapted to support a box part with a glued cover thereon, side wiping devices disposed in the path of said swinging arm and adapted to wipe the v side edges of the cover on to the sides of the box part, corner wiping devices mounted on swinging arms and adapted to wipe or turn the corners of the cover in, end wiping devices mounted on swinging arms and adapted to wipe the end edge of the cover on to the box part and means for operating said swinging arms in proper sequence.

7. In a box covering machine, the combination of a swinging arm adapted to support a box part with a glued cover thereon, two side wiping devices disposed in the path of said swinging arm and adapted to wipe the side edges of the cover on to the sides of the box part, two pairs of corner wiping devices mounted on swinging arms and adapted to wipe or turn the corners of the cover in, a pair of end wiping devices mounted on swinging arms and adapted to wipe the end edges ofthe cover on to the box part and means for operating said swinging arms in proper sequence.

8. In a box covering machine, in combi-` nation with corner wiping devices, springs adapted to normally hold said wiping devices in their inoperative position, a pair of rock shafts, rocking arms rigidly mounted on said rock shafts, catches on said wiping Copies of this patent may be obtained for devices which lie in the path of said rock arms and means for rocking said shafts whereby the wiping devices are swung to turn the corners of the cover in and are then released and quickly returned to their inoperative position under the action of said springs.

9. In a box covering machine, the combination of supporting means for supporting a box part with a glued label or cover thereon, a folding die having end flaps, end wiping devices, and following arms arranged below the wiping devices and adapted to fol low up the wiping devices and support the end flaps on the folding die after the wiping devices have moved beyond the box part.

10. In a box covering machine, in combination with corner wiping devices, springs and weights adapted to normally hold said wiping devices in their inoperative position, apair of rock shafts, rocking arms rigidly mounted on said rock shafts, catches on said wiping devices which lie in the path of said rock arms and means for rocking said shafts whereby the wiping devices are swung to turn the corners of the cover in and are then released and quickly returned to their inoperative position under the action of said springs and weights.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

VILLIAM RGHTER COMINGS.

Witnesses:

O. J. WORTH, CARL R. Loor.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, ID. G.

hCorrections in Letters Patent No. 1,147,144l

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,147,144, granted July 20, 1915,

upon the application of William Righter Comings, of Wimbledon Park, England,

, for an im rovernent in Box-Coverin Machines errors a ear in the rinted specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 77, for the Word strip 'read wiper; page 2, line 46, for the reference-numeral 24 read 47,- and that the said Letters Patent should be read With these Corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflioe.

Signed and sealed this 101th day of August, A. D., l1915.

R. F. WHITEHEAD,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

